Montana Communities to Receive Commerce Funds Totaling $80,000 for Tourism Related Events

Four Montana communities have been selected to receive a total of $80,000 in grant funding from the Montana Office of Tourism’s Special Events Grant Program (SEGP), through the Montana Department of Commerce.

The Montana communities of Big Sky, Butte, Hardin and Trout Creek will use the SEGP funds to assist in the marketing and promotion of tourism-related events. Commerce Director Dore Schwinden approved the SEGP grant funding for the four Montana events following recommendations from Department of Commerce staff and representatives of Montana’s public and private businesses.

"Fairs, festivals and special events emphasize the character and heart of our Montana communities," said Schwinden. "These grants help ensure that Montana’s communities have the resources available to draw travelers near and far to experience and enjoy our distinctive celebrations."

Communities Receiving 2011 SEGP Awards:

Big Sky: Classical Music Festival – $6,000

Sponsor: Arts Council of Big Sky

Butte: Montana Folk Festival – $50,000

Sponsor: Mainstreet Uptown Butte

Hardin: Custer’s Last Stand Reenactment – $13,550

Sponsor: Hardin Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture
Trout Creek: Huckleberry Festival – $10,450

Sponsor: Huckleberry Inc.

"Hosting special events serves as an important catalyst to bringing visitors into our downtowns and main streets," said Schwinden. "It is these 10 million annual visitors whose $2 billion in spending helps support our myriad of small Montana businesses."

The SEGP was developed in 2002 to assist communities with economic development through the creation and/or enhancement of new annual, on-going events. Grant funds are available for event marketing and promotion outside a 100-mile radius of the event. To date, the SEGP program has provided $657,500 in grant funding to 81 events in numerous Montana communities.

The deadline for the next round of grant applications will be announced in June 2011. For information, contact the Montana Office of Tourism, 406-841-2870.